UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 21)

QUESTION 2

The ferry service between India and Sri Lanka has restarted after a gap of 40 years. Discuss the opportunities and challenges.

General points on the structure of the answers

Introduction

— The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction.

— It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts.

Body

— It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content.

— The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points.

— Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse.

— Underlining keywords gives you an edge over other candidates and enhances presentation of the answer.

— Using flowcharts/tree-diagram in the answers saves much time and boosts your score. However, it should be used logically and only where it is required.

Way forward/ Conclusion

— The ending of the answer should be on a positive note and it should have a forward-looking approach. However, if you feel that an important problem must be highlighted, you may add it in your conclusion. Try not to repeat any point from body or introduction.

— You may use the findings of reports or surveys conducted at national and international levels, quotes etc. in your answers.

Self Evaluation

— It is the most important part of our Mains answer writing practice. UPSC Essentials will provide some guiding points or ideas as a thought process that will help you to evaluate your answers.

THOUGHT PROCESS

You may enrich your answers by some of the following points

QUESTION 1: What is ‘foetal viability’ in abortion and what is India’s law on abortion? Discuss the changes done so far.

Introduction:

A simple introduction to this answer can revolve around a general statement about foetal viability.

— The “foetal viability” test as a criterion for allowing abortion is novel in India. The historic 1973 US Supreme Court decision in ‘Roe v Wade’ that established abortion as a constitutional right permitted abortion up to the point of foetal viability, or the moment at which a baby may survive outside the womb.

— Foetal viability in 1973 was pegged at 28 weeks (7 months), which is now with scientific advancement lower at 23-24 weeks (6 months). It has been argued, therefore, that foetal viability is an arbitrary standard.

— The criticism of India’s law is that the decision to terminate after 20 weeks is shifted to doctors and not the woman. While this aspect is not challenged in court, frequent cases of women approaching the court at the eleventh hour point to a legislative gap.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:

India’s law on abortion

— The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act (MTP Act) allows termination of pregnancy in three stages.

— Termination of pregnancy up to 20 weeks is allowed on the advice of one doctor.

— If a pregnancy is 20-24 weeks, the right to seek abortion is determined by two registered medical practitioners as an exception, but only under certain categories. Section 3B of the Rules under the MTP Act lists seven categories of forced pregnancies, including statutory rape in case of minors or sexual assault; women with disabilities; or when there is a change in marital status of women during pregnancy.

— After 24 weeks, the MTP Act requires a medical board to be set up in “approved facilities”, which may “allow or deny termination of pregnancy” only if there is substantial foetal abnormality.

Recent Changes

— In 2021, India revised the upper gestational limit for legal abortion to 24 weeks for specific categories of “vulnerable women”, removing them altogether in case of substantial foetal abnormalities diagnosed by a medical board.

— The court allowed termination beyond 26 weeks in several cases. A Bench headed by Justice Nagarathna held a special sitting to allow termination of pregnancy of a rape survivor whose pregnancy was at 27 weeks and three days.

— In September 2022, a Bench led by Justice Chandrachud allowed abortion for an unmarried woman who was 24 weeks pregnant, and was in a consensual relationship. The Bench cited “transformative constitutionalism” that promotes and engenders societal change, and said that “the law must remain cognizant of the fact that changes in society have ushered in significant changes in family structures”.

— In ‘Bhatou Boro v. State of Assam’ (2017), Gauhati High Court overruled the medical board’s refusal to give an opinion for termination of pregnancy of over 26 weeks of a minor rape survivor.

— The observations by the CJI-led Bench on October 13 oscillated between the rights of a woman “must trump” when it comes to abortion, and the need to “balance out the rights of the unborn child”.

Conclusion:

— In its latest guidelines on abortion care, the WHO recommends that States fully decriminalise abortion and remove grounds-based regulation and gestational limits to abortion (amongst others) to ensure non-discriminatory and equal abortion care to all.

— The recommendations offer clinical best practises for safely terminating a pregnancy at any gestational age. The WHO regards grounds-based restriction and gestational limitations on abortion as “medically unnecessary policy barriers” that are not supported by evidence.

(Source: What is ‘foetal viability’ in abortion, and do the rights of an unborn child matter? by Apurva Vishwanath, Abortion of 26-week-old foetus: Not just nine months by Shreya Shree)

Points to Ponder

MTP Act

Fetal distress

Fetal and neonatal causes

Related Previous Year Question

Though women in post-Independent India have excelled in various fields, the social attitude towards women and feminist movement has been patriarchal.” Apart from women education and women empowerment schemes, what interventions can help change this milieu? (2021)

QUESTION 2: The ferry service between India and Sri Lanka has restarted after a gap of 40 years. Discuss the opportunities and challenges.

Introduction:

A simple introduction to this answer can revolve around a general statement about India-Sri Lanka.

— India and Sri Lanka have had a relationship for over 2,500 years. Both nations share a history of intellectual, cultural, religious, and linguistic exchange. Close contacts at all levels have characterised the partnership in recent years.

— Significant success in the implementation of developmental aid initiatives for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and underprivileged parts of the population in Sri Lanka has helped to strengthen the two nations’ friendship.

— The opening of a passenger ferry service from Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu to Kankesanthurai in Jaffna, Northern Sri Lanka, has revitalised an age-old maritime link between India and Sri Lanka.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:

Ferry Service

— The initiative is aimed at bolstering bilateral ties, boosting tourism, and increasing people-to-people relations. It is expected to benefit local traders on both shores.

— The name of the vessel, a High Speed Craft, is ‘Cheriyapani’.

Earlier Route

— The Indo-Ceylon Express or Boat Mail ran between Chennai and Colombo via the Thoothukudi port from the early 1900s up until 1982. However, the civil war in Sri Lanka resulted in the halting of these services.

— A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) concerning passenger transportation by sea was signed in 2011 and a similar service was launched. However, it did not last for more than six months due to poor response.

Impact of the new service

— Transportation and Tourism: It can amplify religious tourism

(i) Travellers can access significant religious sites in Colombo and the southern parts of Sri Lanka

(ii) Indian pilgrim centres such as Nagapattinam, Nagore, Velankanni, Thirunallar, and temple towns such as Thanjavur, Madurai, and Tiruchi are expected to see an influx of Lankan tourists.

— Commerce and trade: The service would boost regional commerce and trade.

— Infrastructure and planning: Anticipating the influx of travellers, the state government of Tamil Nadu is ramping up infrastructural developments. E V Velu, the Minister for Public Works, said the state is in touch with multiple departments of the Union government, such as Customs, External Affairs, Shipping, and Immigration, to ensure a smooth experience for passengers.

Challenges

Frequency: Shipping Corporation of India’s (SCI) initial plan to run services every day for 10 days has been rescheduled to operate thrice a week.

Poor ticketing systems: The onset of the northeast monsoon is one of the reason for high price at approximately Rs 7,670. If the service is to be successful, ticket prices should be decreased and reservations made available on prominent travel websites.

Conclusion:

— The Indian government has prioritised India-Sri Lanka relations as part of its Neighbourhood First strategy. During Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s visit to India in July, the two governments released a vision paper emphasising marine connectivity, including the expansion of ports in Colombo, Kankesanthurai, and Trincomalee, as well as the revitalization of sea routes.

— Besides improving business ties between the Indian Ocean neighbours, Cheriyapani is likely to bring pilgrims to religious centres in southern Sri Lanka and temple towns in south India.

(Source: India-Sri Lanka ferry service restarted after 40 yrs: Opportunities, challenges by Arun Janardhanan, A ferry from Tamil Nadu to Jaffna, once again, http://www.mea.gov.in)

Points to Ponder

Other developments between India and Sri Lanka

Palk Strait

Related Previous Year Questions

India is an age-old friend of Sri Lanka.’ Discuss India’s role in the recent crisis in Sri Lanka in the light of the preceding statement. (2022)

Indian Diaspora has an important role to play in South East Asian countries economy and society. Appraise the role of Indian Diaspora in South-East Asia in this context. (2017)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 20)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 19)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 19)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 20)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 21)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 20)

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